BRITISH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS - THE GAMES

[Christopher Kreuzer]

All academic now, but why not push the f-pawn on move 122? 122...f3 seems OK.

[Paul McKeown]

Thinking about it, why did White not simply swap queen's with 126. Qxd7+? Wouldn't that have been a winning pawn endgame?

Actually no, Black would have had both f6 and g6 to provide access to g5, so White could not have won back the f-pawn by zug.

[Jonathan Bryant]

Thinking about it, why did White not simply swap queen's with 126. Qxd7+? Wouldn't that have been a winning pawn endgame?

Can the Black king get to g5 and save the f4 pawn?


EDIT: beaten to the punch on the last two posts. Curses!

[Alex Holowczak]

Why didn't Black capture on d4 with the c-pawn? (Wonder when the hall is locked up )

There are supervisors there all day, so it can be locked up at any time without a problem. I'm not even sure the facility is ever locked, actually. Maybe I just wasn't there late/early enough to experience it. Adjournment envelopes will not be necessary.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Should still be drawn (I think).

[Paul McKeown]

Thinking about it, why did White not simply swap queen's with 126. Qxd7+? Wouldn't that have been a winning pawn endgame?

Can the Black king get to g5 and save the f4 pawn?


EDIT: beaten to the punch on the last two posts. Curses!

It isn't just that g5 can be accessed, but that there are two back squares providing access to it, therefore there can never be zugszwang. That is the important point.

[Andrew Stone]

a draw surely?

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Thinking about it, why did White not simply swap queen's with 126. Qxd7+? Wouldn't that have been a winning pawn endgame?

Can the Black king get to g5 and save the f4 pawn?


EDIT: beaten to the punch on the last two posts. Curses!

It isn't just that g5 can be accessed, but that there are two back squares providing access to it, therefore there can never be zugszwang. That is the important point.

Technically, the two squares providing access have to be adjacent.

[Paul McKeown]

Technically, the two squares providing access have to be adjacent.

Which they are.

[Jonathan Bryant]

a draw surely?

How about ... Kd7 trying to round up the e5 pawn and if Q goes to defend it then Qc3+.

Also, for all Airplane fans still not in bed, don't call me shirley.



EDIT: Beaten to it by Pert now FFS

[Graham Borrowdale]

Draw - after all that!

[Andrew Stone]

Pre-arranged!

[Paul McKeown]

Rousing effort, someone get those men brandies.

[Andrew Stone]

Brandies? Do they have those in Sheffield? Didn't see any when I was at Uni there

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Technically, the two squares providing access have to be adjacent.

Which they are.

Yeah, but you just said "two squares", you weren't specific enough.

Congratulations to Pert and Jones on a magnificent and hard-fought draw!